Criminal records in Florence County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. FlorenceCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Florence County. You can also search through the South Carolina Judicial Department's public index, request a state criminal history check through SLED, or visit the Florence County Clerk of Court in person to review or obtain copies of case records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Florence
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Florence County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- FlorenceCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Florence County criminal cases. You can search by name or case number.
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — This statewide portal lets you search court records across South Carolina counties, including Florence. Select Florence County, then search by party name or case number.
- SLED CATCH System — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division offers criminal background checks through its online CATCH portal. A non-refundable $25 fee applies per search.
- South Carolina Sex Offender Registry — Search for registered sex offenders by name, county, or address.
- Traffic Tickets and Court Payments — For ticket-related matters in Florence County, you can look up and pay traffic citations online.
In Person
Visit the Florence County Clerk of Court office to search criminal case records using public access terminals or request assistance from staff. Bring as much identifying information as possible — the defendant's full legal name, date of birth, or case number.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the Florence County Clerk of Court for copies of criminal case documents. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), case number (if available), and a return address. For a statewide criminal history, submit a request through SLED with fingerprints and the required fee.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court index searches)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case
Search Florence Criminal Cases by Case Number
South Carolina court case numbers follow a structured format that tells you the year, county, court type, and sequence of the filing. A typical Florence County criminal case number looks like this:
- Year — The first two or four digits represent the year the case was filed.
- County code — A two-digit code identifying Florence County (21).
- Case type prefix — Letters indicating the court division and case type. For General Sessions (criminal) cases, you will typically see "GS" as part of the designation.
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned to the case in the order it was filed.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the Judicial Department Public Index or provide it to the Clerk of Court for a faster lookup. Case number searches return more precise results than name-based searches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Florence
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The South Carolina Code of Laws section the defendant is charged under (e.g., § 16-13-30 for petit larceny) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — felonies are heard in General Sessions Court; misdemeanors may be handled in Magistrate or Municipal Court |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; the record will reflect both the original and amended charge |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting court action
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — A final outcome has been entered (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All court obligations have been satisfied and the case is complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial hearing — Attorneys address motions, evidence, and scheduling before trial
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence following a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges were dropped by the prosecution or court |
| Nolle prosequi | Prosecution elected not to pursue the case |
| Acquitted | Defendant found not guilty after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Florence
Florence County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court is the custodian of all General Sessions (criminal) court records filed in Florence County. You can request certified copies of criminal case documents in person or by mail.
What to bring or include in your request:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Case number (if available)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
State Criminal History Check
For a comprehensive South Carolina criminal history report, submit a request through SLED's CATCH system. This returns results from the statewide criminal records database maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Fingerprint-based checks may be required for certain employment or licensing purposes.
Federal Criminal Records
For federal cases filed in South Carolina, search through the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina or use the PACER system.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Florence
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 | Fees set by the Clerk of Court; confirm current rate at the office |
| Certified copy | $1.00 per document plus copy fees | Certification fee per S.C. Code § 8-21-310 |
| SLED criminal background check (CATCH) | $25.00 | Non-refundable; submitted online |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $25.00+ | Additional processing fees may apply depending on the requesting agency |
Processing Times
- Online searches (Public Index, CATCH) — Results are typically available immediately or within minutes
- In-person requests at the Clerk of Court — Usually same-day for simple record copies
- Mail requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing
- Fingerprint-based checks — May take several business days depending on volume
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Florence County Clerk of Court directly to confirm current pricing before submitting a request. Retention schedules for court records are maintained according to guidelines from the SC Department of Archives and History.